### 185

At the entrance to Maoshen Avenue is an apothecary shop. Its bow window is empty, but there is a lantern hanging above the front door that illuminates a sign that says it is still open for business. You secure your horse to a hitching rail and enter. Inside you find the old apothecary overseeing his assistants, directing them to clear the shelves and pack his stock of pills and potions into straw-lined boxes. He, too, is preparing to leave Pensei. You are about to turn around and exit the shop when he bids you stay and peruse a shelf of potions that have yet to be cleared.

‘Finest potions in all Chai,’ he fawns, ‘best you buy now. Maybe your last chance.’

You inspect the remaining items and find the following tinctures and potions:

- Laumwort: 20 Ren (2 Gold Crowns). Restores 2 ENDURANCE when swallowed at any time.
- Oxydine: 40 Ren (4 Gold Crowns). Restores 2 ENDURANCE when swallowed at any time. It also cures Korovax infections.
- Laumspur: 50 Ren (5 Gold Crowns). Restores 4 ENDURANCE when swallowed after combat.
- Alether: 60 Ren (6 Gold Crowns). Adds 2 COMBAT SKILL for the duration of one combat.
- Malavan: 60 Ren (6 Gold Crowns). Increases the effect of Mindblast, Psi-surge, and Kai-surge, by adding 2 COMBAT SKILL for the duration of one combat.
- Karmo: 100 Ren (10 Gold Crowns). When taken before combat, this potion doubles your ENDURANCE points score for the duration of the combat. It has heavy side effects that sometimes can result in death. After consuming Karmo, you must pick a number from the Random Number Table. The number you choose determines how many ENDURANCE points you lose as a consequence of the side effects (0 = zero).

You may buy any of the potions listed above for the price indicated. They are all Backpack Items that will each take up one space. You are under no obligation to make a purchase.

You ask the apothecary if he knows the quickest way to reach the Imperial Palace.

‘You can go along Maoshen or you can go along Tzushen. Both good. Both get you there equal soon.’

You thank the old man before you leave his apothecary shop and retrieve your horse.

If you wish to continue along Maoshen Avenue towards the north, turn to 126.

If you decide to follow Tzushen Avenue towards the east instead, turn to 251.